Pete HolidaiOf The Radiators From Space
What’s on your rider?
Three litres of sparkling water, two of still, four cans of Red Bull, Jack Daniels and a tray of quality lager. A selection of crackers, cheese, fruit and dips. Solpadine and a pot noodle – all available in our dressing room from soundcheck onwards.
What would be on your fantasy rider?
A selection of Fabergé eggs.
What’s the best gig you’ve been to?
The original Alice Cooper band, supported by Roxy Music ,1972, London. It was a theatrical experience that I still remember to this day
And the worst?
Billy Idol, Point Depot. A giant inflatable Billy was truly naff.
Who is the most famous person to have shown up at one of your gigs?
Keith Moon turned up at one of our London gigs in 1977.
Most embarrassing on-stage moment?
I let out a massive burp during a vocal . . . Oops!
What’s your crowd-pleasing number?
Television Screen (our debut single).
How many roadies does it take to change your lightbulbs (ie, how big is your entourage)?
Sound, lights and backline, so three. Tour manager optional.
Have you a special stage wardrobe?
You betcha: gold shirt, red jacket.
Any useful stage tips?
Always play and project to the back of the hall. You own the front row!
What’s the worst thing ever thrown at you?
In the early punk days it was fashionable to spit at the band. So for a while when we were playing we would have to scan the audience looking for kids about to unload something in our direction. We would respond to the missiles in a sort of Matrix- type sideways manoeuvre, which we perfected.
If you could be in any other band, which one?
The Clash.
Who’s invited to your aftershow party?
Everybody and their girlfriend.
What’s your best tour story?
We were on a UK tour supporting Thin Lizzy. The second gig was in Glasgow, and we were en route from Newcastle. We pulled into a motorway service station in Gretna Green (a town famous for young couples eloping to get married) and had some lunch.
The young lady who served us approached me as we were about to continue our journey and handed me a piece of paper that read, “Are you The Radiators from Space?” I replied in writing on the same piece of paper, “Yes we are!” She giggled and ran off.
* The Radiators from Space support Horslips tonight at the Olympia, Dublin
